The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Event Overview
The Devils Race Track Backyard Ultra is a last runner standing event held at the Wade Mountain Preserve in Huntsville, Alabama. The competition follows the traditional backyard ultra format, requiring participants to complete a 4.167 mile loop every hour. To remain in the race, runners must be inside the starting corral when the horn sounds at the top of each hour.
Course Details
The race utilizes two distinct loops depending on the time of day. During daylight hours, the course consists of a short road section followed by single-track trails within the North Alabama Land Trust. This trail segment includes the Devils Race Track trail, Shovelton Trail, and Rock Wall Trail. From sunset to sunrise, the event transitions to an out-and-back course on the soft base asphalt of Spragins Hollow Road.
Rules and Format
Participants must complete each 4.167 mile loop within one hour, maintaining a pace of at least 14:24 per mile. Warning whistles are issued three, two, and one minute before each start. The following regulations apply:
- No late starts are permitted once the horn sounds.
- No personal aid is allowed on the course during a loop.
- Artificial aids, such as trekking poles, are prohibited.
- The winner is the final individual to complete a solo loop; if no runner can complete one more loop than the others, no winner is declared.
Participant Information
The event center is located at the Spragins Hollow Trailhead. Participants receive a shirt and a finisher cap. Runners who successfully complete 24 hours, totaling 100 miles, are awarded a buckle. While all runners except the winner are technically classified as DNF (Did Not Finish), results will reflect the total distance covered by every participant. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
